Officials: Reality TV dad arrested on child rape charge

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Officials say
the father of reality TV’s “The Willis
Family” has been arrested and
charged in a child rape investigation.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
says in a news release that agents arrested Toby Willis
of Ashland City on Friday in Greenville, Kentucky, where he had gone to avoid
officers.

The release says the 46-year-old was
charged with one count of rape of a child and was being held without bond on a
fugitive from justice warrant. It was not known whether he has a lawyer who
could comment on the case.

The TBI says an investigation that began Aug. 29 found
information that Willis, who is
originally from Chicago, had a sexual encounter with an underage female about
12 years ago. The family’s TLC
reality show focuses on their musical group, which includes 12 Willis children.

“TLC did not renew The Willis Family and new
episodes have not aired since April 2016,” TLC said in a statement released to
CBS affiliate WTVF. “We are shocked to hear this news.”

TBI officials believe Willis hitchhiked
sometime between Sept. 5 and Sept. 6 from Shepherdsville, Kentucky, just south
of Louisville, to Greenville, about 115 miles away. Agents believe two
people gave him a ride, and they are asking the drivers come forward.